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Snow causing 'hazardous conditions' More snow forecast after schools close across Scotland
(about 20 hours later)
Wintry weather is causing hazardous driving conditions across many roads in Scotland. Wintry weather has caused hazardous driving conditions across parts of Scotland and has led to more than 100 school closures.
Traffic Scotland said heavy snowfall was affecting routes in the Glasgow and Edinburgh areas on Wednesday evening, as well as some sections of roads including the M8, M80, M74 and M77. Heavy snow affected routes across the country, including the main motorways, after the Met Office issued an amber "be prepared" warning for much of Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England.
The weather had earlier failed to cause any major disruption to the peak evening rush hour period. Tulloch Bridge in Inverness-shire saw the deepest snow in Scotland with 23cm (9ins) while there was 9cm (3ins) in Aviemore.
Met Office amber "be prepared" warnings of heavy snow remain in place. Further snow is now expected.
Lengthy delays A missing woman was airlifted to hospital after she was found unconscious in blizzard conditions in the Scottish Borders, while a car skidded on ice and fell off the road into the basement area of a building in Edinburgh.
The warnings, which are due to expire at 11:00 on Thursday, cover much of Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England. A Royal Navy Search and Rescue helicopter was used to help a sick one-year-old who had become stranded in a house near Langholm because of the snow.
Lengthy delays were reported on M74 southbound in South Lanarkshire on Wednesday evening, with the road closed at J10 after reports of a lorry crashing in heavy snow. The youth was airlifted to hospital in Carlisle by a sea king helicopter after an ambulance became stuck in the snow and an air ambulance from Glasgow was not cleared to fly, reported the Royal Navy.
The road was also blocked southbound at J14 by an HGV. Out of the 122 schools in Dumfries and Galloway, 80 have been closed because of the weather.
Driving conditions on the M77 were also said to be difficult in many places, with snow causing slow traffic in both directions. BBC Scotland's Willie Johnston has reported "dreadful conditions" on the A75 near Carrutherstown.
Heavy snow has also hit the M8 at Harthill, midway between Glasgow and Edinburgh, and the M80. Meanwhile, Highland Council said 18 schools and nurseries in its area are closed because of the weather.
A tweet sent by Traffic Scotland at about 21:00 on Wednesday said: "Very #SNOWY in #Glasgow now! PLEASE #SlowDown & keep back from car in front! Drive to road conditions & #StaySafe". About 10 others have been closed to pupils who have to travel by bus, or were opened later.
It issued similar warnings for motorists on the M80 and in the Edinburgh area. Scottish Borders Council said three of its schools were closed, while eight schools were shut in South Lanarkshire, along with two in South Ayrshire.
More than 5cm (2in) of snow is expected at lower levels with 15cm (6in) over higher ground across much of Scotland, although the north east of the country is expected to escape the worst of the weather. Flights at Inverness Airport and Kirkwall Airport were disrupted on Thursday morning while the M9 was closed for an hour between junction 5 (Bo'ness) and junction 6 (Falkirk) after a cattle lorry overturned.
The Met Office said: "The public should be prepared for travel disruption and hazardous driving conditions." More snow forecast
Further snow was expected to fall overnight, with the potential for problems for morning commuters. The Met Office has issued yellow "be aware" warnings for all of Scotland for the remainder of Thursday and Friday.
Police Scotland has asked drivers to take extra caution across the country, and urged people to make sure their vehicles have enough fuel and are prepared for the snow. The warnings will remain in place for northern and western regions of the country for Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
Ch Supt Iain Murray said: "With a substantial risk of disruption to travel during the evening and morning rush hours motorists should consider spreading out or staggering their journeys across the peak periods. Showers of sleet, snow and hail are expected to continue through Thursday and Friday morning.
"If you do decide to travel, ensure your vehicle is well prepared before setting off; make sure your windscreens are completely free of snow and ice, and your lights are working and clean. Between 1-3cm of further snow could fall on lower levels.
"Road policing crews will be patrolling the road network to keep people safe during this period - please follow our advice to travel with extra caution." More snow and strong winds are forecast for the north and west of Scotland on Saturday and Sunday.
Scottish Transport Minister Derek Mackay had earlier said he was expecting disruption to the transport network. BBC weather forecaster Darren Bett said icy conditions were expected to follow the snow on Thursday.
He added: "Gritters and patrols are out across the day and we have plenty of salt available. He said: "Tonight ice is going to be more of a concern.
"The winter control rooms are monitoring conditions 24/7 to ensure that the fleet is treating and patrolling where required but we would ask people to listen to police advice regarding the high risk of disruption." "We have a band of wetter weather moving down from the north later in the evening. Overnight most of it will fall as rain, but there will be snow on the highest ground.
Glasgow Airport said customers should check with their airlines before travelling, while Inverness Airport was closed for a short time on Wednesday morning to allow snow to be cleared from the runway. "But there will be breaks in the cloud and skies will clear again, so tricky for the gritters tonight and tricky for anyone on the roads."
ScotRail currently has no warnings for snow affecting the rail network, and has asked customers to keep checking for updates. Ch Supt Iain Murray, from Police Scotland, urged motorists to carefully plan their journeys and said localised conditions could make driving difficult.
Weather forecast "If you do decide to travel, ensure your vehicle is well prepared before setting off; make sure your windscreens are completely free of snow and ice, and your lights are working and clean," he said.
BBC Weather Presenter Christopher Blanchett said: "It will be a cold evening and night with snow showers driving in on a fresh to strong west to north west wind.
"The showers will be heaviest and most frequent for central and west Scotland - drier towards Aberdeenshire, Angus and the Borders.
"Where the showers do occur, you can expect difficult conditions on the roads and the potential for disruption to travel.
"Away from the west coast, we're likely to see a widespread frost tonight and the risk of icy stretches on untreated surfaces. Temperatures dip near or below freezing, perhaps -3/-4C in the countryside."
Check out the latest travel news for ScotlandCheck out the latest travel news for Scotland
For the latest on the roads visit the BBC's travel news page and keep up to date with incidents and roadworks on the motorways here.For the latest on the roads visit the BBC's travel news page and keep up to date with incidents and roadworks on the motorways here.
Around the country you can check for updates from:Around the country you can check for updates from:
Alternatively, for regular travel bulletins listen live to BBC Radio Scotland and follow @BBCTravelScot.Alternatively, for regular travel bulletins listen live to BBC Radio Scotland and follow @BBCTravelScot.
In times of severe disruption you can also follow the BBC Scotland severe weather Twitter list of key sources.In times of severe disruption you can also follow the BBC Scotland severe weather Twitter list of key sources.
Below are a number of other traffic information sources.Below are a number of other traffic information sources.
Tell us how the snow and wintery conditions have affected you? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Tell us how the snow and wintery conditions have affected you? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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